James Bond 007 in... Agent Under Fire

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By IGN Staff

Bond. James Bond. It's a line that's internationally famous. The spy-hero has appeared in countless movies and also on several videogame consoles. Now Electronics Arts is bringing a version of James Bond in...Agent Under Fire to Nintendo's next-generation console, complete with a first-person view, tons of great Bond gadgetry, a four-player mode and some very smart technology sewing it all together. Are you ready?

Features

Engage in a complete immersive first-person Bond experience built exclusively for the next generation console system

All new, original single-player storyline that builds on the Bond legacy with villains and allies, both new and familiar

Three well-balanced gameplay experiences: action, stealth and driving

A full arsenal of Q-lab weapons, gadgets and autos to utilize

Fast, fluid action and spy-packed gameplay inspired by the 007 films

Fantastic detailed 3-D environments that can only be experienced through the eyes of Bond

Single and up to four person multi-player support.

GameCube version will feature artificial intelligence bots

Agent Under Fire was originally developed by EA for Sony's PlayStation 2, and therefore comes to Nintendo's new console as a semi-port. But there will be some improvements to speak of.

In this new Bond videogame, players must find and dispose of the evil criminal Malprave, leader of a terrorist organization that has come into power and seeks to rule the world. The group is aided on its quest for world domination by a new technology that is capable of creating human clones, which of course it is using to clone evil followers. Yeesh -- if we had a penny for every time we heard that one. Luckily, Bond won't have to face the army alone. He is aided occasionally by the gorgeous heroine Zoe Nightshade and a supporting cast of new and familiar characters.

Players will have to travel through 10 locations disposing of baddies. The game takes place primarily in first-person view -- a style used with games like Quake and yes, GoldenEye. EA has delivered an impressive engine that easily spits out locales in wide assortment. The spy will of course use a healthy selection of guns and gadgetry along the way too -- and certain stealthy missions will in fact require for players to know when to use the automatic and when to go for the sniper rifle. And there is also a mode in which players can race Bond's vehicle in a third-person view, which should keep the action mixed up quite nicely.

Of course there is a four-player split-screen mode for enthusiasts to enjoy beyond the single-player action. And here the GameCube version will see one major improvement over the PS2 one -- the addition of new artificially controlled computer enemies (Bots). EA promises that these little guys will be intelligent enough to give skilled players a run for their money.

Graphics Agent Under Fire's visuals are fairly impressive. It proudly boasts detailed 3D environments complete with acceptable texture work and moderate geometry. What separates it from other first-person shooters in this regard is the sheer amount of variety in locations for players to explore -- every new area looks different, with a totally unique texture set and formation. Beyond that, players can expect a silky smooth framerate to boot when the title arrives for Nintendo's next-generation console in the coming months.

Outlook Agent Under Fire received some decent reviews when it debuted for PS2. It's a fairly standard first-person shooter that relies heavily on the Bond license and the character's many uses of spy gadgets and weapons. This is a good thing. The GameCube conversion, now with a polished framerate and enemy Bots to play against, is already the wiser purchase.